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5 Tips For Driving Your Vehicle Through Fog

Driving in heavy fog can be dangerous. If you don’t absolutely have to drive during foggy weather, wait until the weather has cleared up to get back on the road. Visibility is reduced significantly during these kinds of weather conditions, and seeing what’s ahead of you is tricky, especially at night. If you have to drive during a fog, make sure that you follow these steps to stay as safe as possible on the road.

Slow down

When driving during a fog, especially on the highway, drive slowly and with caution. Depending on the severity of the weather and the time of day, it’s possible that you won’t be able to see another vehicle on the road until they are just a few meters in front of you. If you’re going regular highway speeds, you may find yourself getting into a collision with another vehicle on the road.

Do not use your high beams

Fog is a thick cloud of tiny water droplets, and water droplets reflect light. If you’re tempted to throw on your high beams in order to see during a fog, don’t. The light from your automobile will reflect back to you, making it much more difficult to see, especially if you’re driving at night. Keep your low beams on instead and stay alert.

If your vehicle has fog lights, use them

Many vehicles now have fog lights that are mounted quite low, in or below the front bumper. Fog lights point down to illuminate the road, while regular lights point outward, causing a reflection of light that will make it difficult for the you, the driver, to see properly. Because fog lights are pointed at the ground, they project light differently, and don’t create the same reflective effect.

Use the right side of the road as a guideline

When driving in heavy fog, it can be difficult to discern where the lanes end, or which way traffic is going. If you follow the center paving marks, you could accidentally drive into oncoming traffic and cause a collision between your vehicle and another driver. If the fog gets to be so thick that you cannot see the right side of the road, pull over, put your hazards on, and wait.

Don’t stop on the road

If you’re unclear where you’re going, or if there’s a traffic sign you’re trying to read, do not come to a complete stop on the road. Other vehicles may have a lot of trouble seeing your stopped car, and this is a recipe for an accident. If you’re having trouble figuring out where you need to go, utilize a navigation system so that you can hear where you need to turn instead of looking at the street signs.

When it comes to driving in heavy fog, it’s imperative to make sure that your lights are working optimally. If where you live often has fog, make sure to get your lights checked routinely. Your insurance policy should cover regular maintenance. If it doesn’t, speak to your provider, or compare your car insurance quote with other providers to get the best rate for your vehicle.